Let’s talk about the elephant in the room - detention time. We’ve all sat at docks for hours waiting while our clock ticks away and our income disappears.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
OOIDA estimates drivers lose an average of $1,200+ per MONTH to unpaid detention. That’s money straight out of our pockets because shippers can’t get their act together.
My Recent Experience
Last week: Arrived at shipper 10 minutes early. Appointment was 6am. Didn’t get loaded until 2pm. EIGHT HOURS sitting in a parking lot.
Detention pay offered? $25/hour after 2 hours free time.
What I actually received? Still fighting with the broker about it.
What I’ve Learned:
Documentation is everything:
- Take photos of your arrival time (GPS timestamp)
- Get a check-in time from the guard shack
- Screenshot your ELD showing arrival
- Keep ALL communication with broker in writing
Know before you go:
- Ask the broker about detention policy BEFORE accepting
- Check DAT/Carrier411 for facility reviews
- Factor potential detention into your rate decision
Fighting back:
- Some carriers now refuse facilities with bad reputations
- OOIDA is pushing for detention regulation
- Document and report bad actors
Discussion:
- What’s your WORST detention experience?
- How do you handle it when brokers refuse to pay?
- Any shippers/receivers you refuse to go to now?
- What detention rate do you require in your contracts?
Time to name and shame the worst offenders and help each other out! 
